Diagnostic Exams
Safe, gentle endoscopic exams that prioritize your wellness and comfort while delivering clear results.
- Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained changes in digestion
Services
From routine screenings to complex interventions, our team performs the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy — all in one comfortable, modern outpatient setting.
Safe, gentle endoscopic exams that prioritize your wellness and comfort while delivering clear results.
Minimally invasive tissue sampling during endoscopy to help diagnose a wide range of GI conditions accurately.
Advanced removal of polyps and abnormal growths to support long-term digestive health.
Precise stent placement during endoscopy to provide safe, effective relief in qualifying GI conditions.
Evaluation and ongoing management for chronic acid reflux symptoms — without unnecessary discomfort.
Comprehensive screening of the digestive system to detect, prevent, and address potential cancers as early as possible.
Service
When you experience persistent digestive symptoms, the right diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Our diagnostic endoscopic exams allow our gastroenterologists to directly visualize the lining of your upper or lower digestive tract, identify the source of your symptoms, and create a personalized care plan based on what we see — not on guesswork.
Using high-definition endoscopic imaging, we perform a careful, gentle examination tailored to your specific concerns. Whether you've been referred by your primary care physician or you're seeking answers to ongoing symptoms, we focus on giving you a clear understanding of what's happening and what comes next.
Service
A biopsy is a small, painless tissue sample taken during your endoscopy. It is one of the most important tools in modern gastroenterology — allowing us to diagnose conditions that often can't be confirmed any other way. From inflammation patterns to early indicators of cancer, biopsies help us understand what's happening at a cellular level so we can recommend the right treatment for you.
Because biopsies are taken during your endoscopy itself, there's no extra procedure required and no additional recovery time. The samples are sent to a specialized pathology lab, and we walk you through the results personally as soon as they're available — typically within a week.
Service
Polyps are small growths on the lining of your colon. Most are harmless — but some can develop into colorectal cancer if left untreated. The good news is that detecting and removing polyps during a colonoscopy is one of the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer in the first place.
Our team uses advanced endoscopic techniques to safely remove polyps during the same procedure they're discovered. There's no separate surgery, no hospitalization, and no extended recovery. The removed tissue is sent to pathology for analysis, and we follow up with personalized recommendations for future surveillance based on what we find.
Service
When a part of your digestive tract becomes narrowed or blocked, a stent — a small, flexible tube — can be placed during endoscopy to restore function and provide relief. Our gastroenterologists are skilled in precise stent placement using state-of-the-art equipment, allowing us to treat strictures and obstructions without the need for traditional surgery in qualifying cases.
Whether your stent is intended as a temporary bridge to another therapy or a longer-term solution, we'll explain exactly what to expect, how to care for it, and what follow-up looks like. Most patients return home the same day with clear, written aftercare instructions.
Service
Persistent heartburn isn't just uncomfortable — left untreated, chronic acid reflux (GERD) can damage the esophagus and lead to more serious conditions. If you're dealing with frequent heartburn, regurgitation, a chronic cough, or trouble swallowing, you don't have to live with it.
Our gastroenterologists evaluate the underlying causes of your reflux symptoms — often using upper endoscopy to look directly at the esophagus and stomach — and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. That plan may include lifestyle changes, medication, or, in some cases, more advanced interventions. We'll find the right approach for you, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Service
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States — and it is also one of the most preventable. Routine screening colonoscopy can detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps before they ever become cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends screening starting at age 45 for most adults at average risk, and earlier for those with a family history.
Our team makes screening as straightforward as possible: clear preparation instructions, a comfortable procedure under sedation, and a personal review of your results. Most patients tell us afterward that the experience was far easier than they expected — and that the peace of mind was worth it.
Get Ready
Proper preparation makes your procedure safer, more accurate, and more comfortable. We'll guide you every step of the way.
At Madera Ambulatory Endoscopy Center, we know preparation is often the hardest part — and we're here to make it as straightforward as possible. You'll receive personalized instructions specific to your procedure, and our nursing team is always available to answer questions before, during, or after your prep.
You will receive detailed instructions tailored to your specific procedure. It is crucial to follow these guidelines closely so we can deliver the most accurate, comfortable care possible.
Depending on your procedure, you may be asked to modify your diet in the days leading up to your appointment — including fasting or following a clear-liquid diet. We'll send you exactly what you can and can't have.
Please share a complete list of your current medications. You may need to pause or adjust certain medications before your procedure. Our team will tell you exactly which to hold and which to continue.
Because you'll receive sedation, you cannot drive yourself home. Please arrange for a responsible adult driver, and plan to skip work, school, and any decision-making activities for the rest of the day.
If anything is unclear — or if you have a question that comes up at midnight the night before — please call us. We'd much rather hear from you than have you guess. Call (559) 673-4000.
Preparation Detail
A successful colonoscopy depends on a thoroughly cleaned colon — which means following your prep instructions exactly. Your physician will prescribe a specific liquid preparation that you'll take by mouth in the hours leading up to your procedure. Common preparations we use include Nulytely, Colytely, Miralax, Prepopik, and Citrate of Magnesia. The choice depends on your medical history, your physician's preference, and your comfort.
Each preparation comes with its own specific instructions. We strongly recommend reading through your instructions at least two days before your procedure so you have time to ask questions if anything is unclear. If you have trouble tolerating your prep — at any time, day or night — please call us. Our team can help.
If you cannot tolerate your prep, call us:
Preparation Detail
An upper endoscopy — also called an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) — examines your esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of the small intestine. Preparation is more straightforward than a colonoscopy: the most important rule is fasting. You will need to avoid all food and liquids after midnight the night before your procedure.
If your procedure is scheduled in the late afternoon (after 2 PM), some physicians may allow small sips of clear liquids up to four hours beforehand. Your physician will give you the exact timing. As always — if anything is unclear, call us. We are happy to help you prep with confidence.
On the Day
We use what's known as 'twilight sedation' — administered by trained nurses with continuous monitoring. You'll be comfortable, you won't feel pain, and most patients have no memory of the procedure itself.
Most procedures take 15–30 minutes. Plan to be at our facility for about 1.5 hours total, including a 45-minute monitored recovery period before you head home.
Your privacy and comfort are central to how we operate. From the moment you check in to the moment you leave, every part of your visit is designed around dignity and respect.
Whether it's a screening, a follow-up, or a referral, our team is ready to help you take the next step.
F.A.Q.
Common questions about our services, procedures, and what to expect during your visit. Don't see your question? Call us — we love answering questions.